The Bureau of Reclamation today awarded a one-year, $4,856,132 contract to Burns and Roe Service Corporation (BRSC) from Ordell, New Jersey, to provide a range of support services for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Yuma Desalting Plant (YDP) and associated facilities.

"In addition to providing routine operations and maintenance services, Burns and Roe will also help prepare the Yuma Desalting Plant's production equipment for start-up and operation for a 90-day demonstration run at 10 percent of the plant's capability in early 2007," said Acting Commissioner of Reclamation William Rinne.

"The demonstration program will help Reclamation determine if there are any deficiencies in the plant's operating equipment, and it will also allow Reclamation to gather important empirical data on the plant's operating costs," he added.

Located just west of Yuma, Arizona, the desalting plant was built to treat saline agricultural drainage water from the Wellton Mohawk Valley. The treated water would be used to help meet the United States' Colorado River water delivery obligation to Mexico. The plant last ran during a six-month test period in 1992-1993. It has been in "ready-reserve" since March 1993 because the U.S. has been able to meet its obligation without operating the plant.

The YDP is the largest reverse osmosis plant in the United States. If operated at full capacity, it could desalt more than one million gallons of Colorado River water per day. Additional information about the plant is available at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/yuma/facilities/ydp/yao_ydp.html

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.